2018 Kia Rio Review
Car Tested: 2018 Kia Rio; Road Test No. 981; Test Location: Delhi, NCR
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 7-11 lakhs (est.)
The Kia Rio is one of the best-selling cars worldwide for the Korean carmaker
The Kia Rio is currently in its fourth generation. Based on the Hyundai Elite i20, the premium hatchback was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo earlier this year and is expected to be launched in India by 2020. Tough times ahead for the Maruti Baleno, Honda Jazz and the Hyundai Elite i20? Time will tell.
The bigger wheels and the hunkered down stance make the Rio look very handsome
Exteriors – First things first, the Kia Rio is an instant attention grabber. This is the international-spec version and hence it sits lower to the ground, gets a sunroof and bigger alloy wheels as well. That aside, the premium hatchback, like any other Kia car gets a sporty design and is very youth-centric in the way it looks. The signature Tiger nose grille is flanked by projector headlights with U-shaped LED DRLs at either side. The lower part of the bumper houses a large air intake and the vehicle gets projector fog lights. The dual-tone alloy wheels complement the otherwise plain-looking side profile. The LED tail-lights add a touch of bling to the rear fascia while the black finish on the bumper cuts off the visual mass slightly. Overall, the Rio is very European in terms of its design and is easily one of the most attractive looking cars in its class.
The cabin of the Rio hatchback is as sporty and good-looking as the exteriors
Interiors – The Kia Rio gets an all-black treatment for the cabin. Quality levels of the materials used inside are just surreal. The 3-spoke steering wheel gets a ton of buttons and looks as well as feels good to hold to. The instrument console is similar to the one on the Hyundai Elite i20 and one grouse with our test car is the infotainment system. The small screen does make it feel out of place, especially in 2018. However, when launched in our market, expect the Korean carmaker to give it a touchscreen unit with all sorts of connectivity options. In terms of features, our test car was equipped with climate control AC, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs, engine start-stop button, rear parking camera with adaptive guidelines, cruise control, electric sunroof and faux leather upholstery.
In comparison to the Elite i20, there is limited space at the rear
Both the front and rear seats of the vehicle are well-cushioned and feel comfortable
There is generous space at the rear and the seats are foldable in 60:40 ratio for more practicality. While there are no rear AC vents on offer, the 300-litres boot space is big in size and can easily swallow a family’s weekend luggage.
The 1.2-litre Kappa isn’t a rev happy and an enthusiastic engine
Performance– Our test car came powered by a familiar 1.2-litre Kappa petrol motor that’s seen under the hood of Hyundai’s Grand i10 and the Elite i20. The 1.2-litre engine produces 83 PS of power and 115 Nm of torque. The low-end performance isn’t satisfactory and lacks punch but the top-end is where this powerplant really shines. The engine redlines just above 6500 RPM and the 5-speed gearbox is slick-shifting. The powertrain is superbly refined and add to that the light clutch, the Kia Rio is very much a fun to drive car. In terms of mileage, the vehicle will return around 11-15 km/l which is on par with the Hyundai Elite i20.
The Kia Rio has good high-speed stability
Driving Dynamics – The Rio’s suspension is set up on the stiffer side. While body control is good, the ride quality feels choppy. There is a thud felt inside the cabin over most of the bad surfaces. However, this is largely to do with the low-profile rubber but again, due to the wider tyres, the car feels planted and stable. When launched in India, Kia is most likely to offer the vehicle with smaller wheels and tweak the suspension which could do wonders to the ride quality. Steering feel and feedback is not all that great but the brakes offer stupendous stopping power.
The Kia Rio with the Safety Pack has scored a 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP test
Safety and After Sales Service – It remains to be seen what safety features will be offered in the India-spec Rio. However, considering it is likely to be priced at a premium over the Elite i20, expect it to be on par with its Korean cousin. The automaker is expected to start selling its cars from late 2019 or early 2020.
The hatchback is most likely to be a promising alternative to the other premium hatchbacks in the segment currently
Verdict – The Kia Rio is a very promising car and when launched in India, with the 1.2-litre powertrain, it will also get a double shot of practicality via the 1.4-litre diesel engine. It all boils down to how will the Korean carmaker price the hatchback. If it could undercut or even come at a slight premium over the segment leader, the Maruti Baleno, things could get interesting in the premium hatchback space.
The Kia Rio shares most of its parts with the Elite i20
What’s Cool
– Sporty design
– Feature loaded interiors
– 5-star Euro NCAP rating
– Good high speed stability
What’s Not So Cool
– The engine isn’t rev happy
– Ride is a bit choppy
The Kia Rio flanks the trademark Tiger nose grille at the front
Kia Rio Specifications
* Engine: 1197cc, 4-cylinder, Petrol
* Power: 83 PS @ 6000 RPM
* Torque: 115 Nm @ 4000 RPM
* Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission
* 0-100 km/hr: NA
* Top Speed: NA
* Suspension: MacPherson struts (Front), Coupled Torsion Beam (Rear)
* Tyre Size: 205/45/17 (Front & Rear)
* Brakes: Discs (Front), Drum (Rear), ABS
* Safety: Dual Airbags, ABS, Traction Control and Lane Departure Warning
Kia Rio Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4065 mm X 1725 mm X 1450 mm
* Boot Space: 300-litres
* Ground clearance: 140 mm
* Wheelbase: 2580 mm
* Kerb weight: 1155 kgs
Hoping to see the Kia Rio on Indian roads real soon
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